Members of Congress are eligible to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine and the Capitol physician is encouraging every lawmaker to get vaccinated.

"I have been notified by the National Security Council that consistent with Presidential Policy Directive 40 (2016), Congress and the Supreme Court, along with Executive Branch agencies, will be provided with a specific number of COVID19 vaccine doses to meet long-standing requirements for continuity of government operations," Dr. Brian P. Monahan, attending physician, wrote to members of Congress on Thursday.

"These requirements are focused on essential operations and personnel. PPD-40 establishes continuity requirements for the Federal Government and states that continuity actions for the Executive Branch should be undertaken in parallel with the Legislative and Judicial branches of government. The small number of COVID19 vaccine doses we will be provided reflects a fraction of the first tranche of vaccines as it is distributed throughout the country," he added.

Monahan urged each member to contact the U.S. Capitol health clinic to schedule an appointment for the vaccination.

"My recommendation to you is absolutely unequivocal: there is no reason why you should defer receiving this vaccine. The benefit far exceeds any small risk," he said.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she plans to get the vaccine.

"With confidence in the vaccine and at the direction of the Attending Physician, I plan to receive the vaccine in the next few days," she said on Thursday evening. “Even with a vaccine, I will continue to follow CDC guidelines by continuing to wear a mask and take other science-based steps to stop the spread of the virus."

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell also said he will get vaccinated. 

"The only way to beat this pandemic is for us to follow the advice of our nation’s healthcare professionals: get vaccinated and continue to follow CDC guidelines," he said.